THERE'LL be sun, sand, surf and a Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On this weekend in Porthcawl as the second Elvis Festival gets under way.

Thousands of fans from as far afield as Australia are set to descend on the seaside town for the largest event of its type in Europe.

Its popularity has left organisers, including writer and devoted Elvis fan Peter Phillips, stunned.

"It's success last year caught us all unawares," he said.

"Everybody's getting on board and it's completely snowballed into easily the biggest Elvis Festival in Europe and possibly the second biggest in the world."

Among those making the journey to Wales will be a female fan from Australia, a tour party from Dallas in the US and 40 people from Malta, all friends and family of Martin the Maltese Elvis, one of the 15 professional tribute acts due to perform.

Like last year, this weekend boasts a number of firsts for fans, including the inaugural appearance on stage in Britain by a member of the Presley family, Elvis' cousin Jerry Presley.

But, unlike 2004, many exciting shows will be taking place outside Porthcawl.

They include a concert for the tribute artists by pupils from three special schools at Bridgend's McArthurGlen shopping centre.

There will also be a wedding - Cardiff couple Claire Rowlands and Marc Harries are getting hitched on the seafront by Ireland's Emerald Elvis - and fans will be able to go speed dating at Porthcawl's Brentwood Hotel, which has temporarily changed its name to the Heartbreak Hotel.

But, if the sight of another pair of blue suede shoes will be too much to bear, help is at hand.